Maurice Sendak book too graphic for your kids?

Maurice Sendak's "Bumble-Ardy"

/ HarperCollins

Maurice Sendak is back on the literary scene with an attention-getter of "Where the Wild Things Are" proportions. The 83-year-old's new book, "Bumble-Ardy" - much like his previous best-seller - is creating quite a rumble with parents who say the book promotes all the wrong things.

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The book - the author's first in 30 years - tells the story of 9-year-old orphaned pig Bumble who has never had a birthday party. The pig decides to throw a party at a relative's house while she's away and scary scenes, including, as the Washington Post points out, "some grotesque costume masks and an appearance by the Grim Reaper."

But are these scenes really too scary for kids?

No, according to the author. He said in a recent interview with The New York Times that his books tell the true nature of children's lives. He told the publication, "(As children,) we all did the most outlandish things, some of which we told our parents, most of which we did not. We were all keenly aware that parents were scaredy cats. You mustn't scare parents. And I think with my books, I managed to scare parents."

But is that a bad thing?

Sendak says, "With books today, I'm not always sure if they're truthful or faithful to what's going on with children."

What do you think of Sendak's work - is it a breath of fresh real air amid a child book world of idealism or too real for kids? Would you share it with your children? Let us know what you think.